Hochul: New York on high alert after terror plot against Jews is foiled
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Federal authorities are continuing to investigate the terror threat against New York's Jewish community.
An ISIL-inspired Pakistani is in custody after allegedly threatening a massive attack to kill as many Jews as possible.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Sunday that New York is under a "heightened state of awareness" and that she's been in direct contact with the Federal Terrorism Task Force.
She called the plot "Deeply shocking, but we've been vigilante in monitoring chatter online and social media."
Hochul said New York is dealing with the threat after federal authorities arrested the 20-year-old Mohamed Shahzeb Kahn as he was trying to enter the U.S. from Canada. According to a 19 count indictment his goal was to "kill as many Jews as possible."
His intended target was the Brooklyn Jewish Center in Crown Heights. Many believed it was the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters.
Kahn shared ISIL propaganda online and enlisted associates who could arm themselves with AR15 assault-style weapons and ammunition. Unbeknownst to him, two of the volunteers were undercover law enforcement agents.
"Kahn wanted to plan his attack on or around the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel," FBI Agent Rob Kissane said.
With the observance of that day less than a month away, several hundred people showed up again for their weekly vigil in Central Park.
"Bring them home, bring them home now," they chanted.
They held photos of those still being held hostage by Hamas and read their names.
The accused terrorist said he saw New York as the perfect target for his plot because it has the largest Jewish population in the country.
Hocul said state police are working directly with the Federal Terrorism Task Force and are being particularly vigilant. They are in what she called "a heightened state of awareness now for all kinds of threats."
She said state police are assisting NYPD with increased security measures in the city. I asked if she could say New York's Jewish community is safe.
"We're working very hard to keep them safe, absolutely," Hochul declared.
According to the government indictment, the suspected terrorist bragged that if he succeeded with his plan, it would have been the largest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11.
The suspect remains in custody in Canada. Extradition proceedings against him to bring him back to the U.S. are scheduled for later this week.